The average cost of butt implants is $13,057, according to 174 patient reviews. The price can range widely, from just $6,500 to as much as $24,000.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons puts the average cost of buttock implants at $7,964. This is only the surgeon’s fee and “does not include anesthesia, operating room facilities or other related expenses,” which can add thousands to the total cost of your buttock enhancement
Cosmetic procedures like this one aren’t covered by health insurance plans.
Read on to find out:
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Butt Implants
The average cost of a Brazilian butt lift procedure is several thousand dollars less than the cost of butt implant surgery.
This seems counterintuitive, given that butt lift surgery is a two-step procedure: liposuction (to harvest excess fat from other areas of the body) followed by fat grafting to improve the shape of the buttocks.
Butt implants are more expensive because far fewer surgeons offer implant-based buttock augmentation. Those who do can charge a premium for their time and expertise.
As butt augmentation procedures and BBLs in particular have grown in popularity, hundreds (if not thousands) of cosmetic surgeons and other physicians who don't have nearly the same level of training as board-certified plastic surgeons have started offering the procedure.
In areas like Miami, BBL providers compete for patients by offering the cheapest deals.
Patients also travel to areas like the Dominican Republic and Mexico for cheap Brazilian butt lifts. All of these factors bring down the average cost.
If you're tempted to choose a bargain BBL over butt implants just because of the price, keep in mind that implants provide much more predictable results, with fewer serious risks—especially in the hands of an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon.
RealSelf Tip: One cheap butt augmentation option to avoid completely is silicone injections, commonly called "butt shots" or “booty shots.” Liquid silicone can migrate and even enter blood vessels, leading to potentially life-threatening complications. In fact, the FDA issued a safety warning against their use in 2017.
The health problems they cause can only be resolved with silicone injection removal, a painful and unreliable process that patient reviews say typically costs over $10,000.
A safer nonsurgical alternative to a BBL or butt implant surgery is Sculptra or a so-called Sculptra BBL, which uses the collagen-stimulating filler to add subtle volume.
During your consultation with a plastic surgeon, ask for a personalized, all-in buttock implant surgery cost quote that includes:
Your provider may or may not include post-op compression garments or medications in their total price quote. If not, you’ll still need to include them in your budget.
If you’re traveling out of state (or out of the country) for surgery, factor in the cost of transportation and lodging, including a recovery house for the first few days post-op. Some surgeons offer "fly-in" specials that can help cover some of these costs.
Butt implant surgery has a 78% Worth It Rating from reviewers on RealSelf, a strong indication that a majority of people who had the procedure think it was worth the expense (and recovery time).
Happy reviewers say that their results look natural and feel comfortable, though several also note that the healing process can be painful and long.
Those who say their investment wasn’t worth it experienced a variety of undesirable results. Several say the implants feel too hard or look unnatural, including being visible under the skin. Others complain of complications or pain that lingered after the expected healing period.
A board-certified plastic surgeon with extensive experience in both butt implant and BBL surgery can help you determine whether you’re a good candidate for either procedure and help you weigh the pros and cons.
These are the primary factors that will make your procedure more or less affordable.
The biggest reason the price range is so wide is that “buttock augmentation with implants varies,” says Dr. Ryan Hoffmann, a plastic surgeon in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania.
Some procedures only involve placing gluteal implants, while others involve a combination of implants and fat transfer (or fat grafting) over the implants, which can create a more natural-looking result for some patients.
To create a more hourglass figure, some surgeons combine this procedure with hip augmentation (with either fat grafting or hip implants) or liposuction for body contouring in areas like the abdomen, flanks, and back.
Each additional procedure will increase the total cost. That said, you'll spend less by combining them in a single operation than you would for separate procedures. You’ll save on anesthesia and facility fees, and some providers also offer discounted surgeon’s fees for each additional procedure.
Gluteal augmentation with implants is a very specialized procedure with a relatively high complication rate (the most common ones being infection, wound separation during healing, or a build-up of fluid called a seroma).
It's also possible to have asymmetrical results or implant migration, especially if your surgeon’s experience is lacking.
According to Dr. Ryan Stanton, a plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills who specializes in butt implant surgery (and has created his own line of gluteal implants), the risk is comparable to breast augmentation surgery when it’s performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon who knows how to skillfully place the implant in an intramuscular pocket.
Dr. Stanton reports that the cost of butt implant surgery in his practice can range from $15,000 to over $50,000, “depending on the complexities of the case and specific details of each patient’s goals and/or treatment plan.”
The surgeon's fee will be higher if you go to a plastic surgeon with more experience and specialized training. However, a well-trained surgeon who frequently performs this procedure should:
Dr. Stanton notes that while “some patients make decisions based upon price,” this strategy can backfire. “This is probably the most particular surgery in the world of cosmetic plastic surgery,” explains Dr. Stanton. “It is crucial to get it done right the very first time around. Revisions are very complex and performed by a very limited number of surgeons worldwide.” Because revision surgeries require so much expertise, they’re “very expensive.”
Paying up-front to be treated by an expert could help you avoid the pain and additional expense of revision surgery or butt implant removal.
Related: How to Choose the Best Plastic Surgeon for Your Procedure
Where you get your surgery can significantly impact your buttock augmentation cost.
If you’re in a smaller city with a reasonable cost of living and opt for a local surgeon, you’ll likely pay less than you would with a top surgeon in a more affluent geographic location like Manhattan or LA.
If you’re willing to travel to see the best provider for your budget, it can be worth it to consult with qualified providers in a few different neighborhoods of the same city. Treatment plans and cost quotes can differ, sometimes by a wide margin.
Some people opt to travel internationally in pursuit of a deal. If you go this route:
Related: Six Key Things to Do If You’re Traveling Outside the U.S. for Plastic Surgery
This is an outpatient procedure that’s often performed in private surgical centers, which have lower facility fees than hospital operating rooms.
Having your procedure in a surgical center is a great way to potentially lower the cost of your procedure. Just be sure to ask your plastic surgeon during your consultation if their surgical center has been certified for safety by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF). They should also tell you where they have hospital admitting privileges, in case of an emergency.
“There are different types, styles, and manufacturers of butt implants,” says Dr. Matthew Nykiel, a plastic surgeon in Newport Beach, California. “Similar to most things in life, the ‘nicer’ products typically cost more money.”
During an in-person consultation, you should have the opportunity to see and feel a few different silicone implant options, while your surgeon explains their pros, cons, and price differences.
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia, so the patient is fully unconscious during the procedure.
You’ll have to pay your anesthesia provider fee and the facility anesthesia fee, which covers the cost of supplies, medications, and additional staff.
A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is qualified to administer anesthesia, and they may come at a lower cost than an anesthesiologist (an MD who administers anesthesia).
However, going with a board-certified anesthesiologist could increase your safety, especially if you have an underlying health condition. In fact, some surgeons will only operate with a board-certified anesthesiologist for safety reasons.
Most plastic surgeons accept plastic surgery financing options, which can make procedures like this one more affordable.
For example, the CareCredit credit card is widely accepted by providers across the U.S.
If you'd rather not finance it, ask about monthly payment plans. Some practices offer interest-free options.
Browse average butt implants costs in U.S. states, according to recent RealSelf member reviews (as of July 2023). States not currently listed did not have enough data to include.
State | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Arizona | $13,269 |
California | $12,500 |
Florida | $11,220 |
Georgia | $12,050 |
Illinois | $11,117 |
Nevada | $8,500 |
New York | $10,417 |
North Carolina | $11,675 |
Ohio | $14,500 |
Pennsylvania | $13,217 |
Texas | $11,700 |
Virginia | $11,081 |
Metro Area | Average Cost |
|---|---|
Austin, TX | $10,955 |
Chicago, IL | $11,307 |
Columbus, OH | $13,000 |
Dallas-Fort Worth, TX | $10,500 |
Houston, TX | $13,097 |
Los Angeles, CA | $13,737 |
Miami, FL | $11,071 |
New York City | $11,375 |
Orange County, CA | $11,927 |
Philadelphia-South New Jersey | $13,217 |
Phoenix, AZ | $12,900 |
San Diego, CA | $10,750 |
Tampa, FL | $9,950 |
Washington, DC | $10,425 |